"What's going on? Did she miss on purpose?"
"But with Xue Ji's ability, that shouldn't be possible," the spectators murmured, all wearing expressions of confusion.
"Xue Ji, what are you doing? Have you lost your mind?!" Hu Xuanyi pointed at Xue Ji and bellowed furiously.
"My apologies, Elder Xuanyi — I missed," Xue Ji said with a shy smile. Then her sleeve swept through the air once more.
Whoosh—
A golden glow flickered as another wave of martial power shot from Xue Ji's sleeve, hurtling straight toward Hu Xuanyi.
Boom—
"Ow!"
Hu Xuanyi was blasted a hundred meters into the sky before crashing back to the ground. By the time he landed, he was covered in blood and too weak to even rise. He pointed a trembling finger at Xue Ji, his eyes brimming with fury, yet in his current state he couldn't even form words.
"My apologies, Elder Xuanyi — I missed again," Xue Ji said, a harmless, utterly captivating smile on her face. But when Hu Xuanyi saw that smile, his rage only intensified.
"Pfft—"
Hu Xuanyi's mouth flew open and a great mouthful of blood sprayed into the air. Then his legs went stiff and he toppled over — Xue Ji had literally angered him into unconsciousness.
In truth, Hu Xuanyi was not the only one seething. The other elders of the Formation Guardian Clan were just as furious.
If the first strike could be chalked up to an honest miss, that might have been forgivable. But to claim she "missed" again on the second shot? Only a fool would believe that.
Yet even knowing Xue Ji had done it deliberately, the Formation Guardian Clan elders were powerless to do anything about it.
They were well aware of how formidable Xue Ji was. Though she cultivated here within the Hundred-Refined Grounds, she was a figure even they — elders of the clan — had to treat with a measure of respect.
After all, she was a genuine prodigy.
"What are you standing around for? If you want to get out of here, follow me," Xue Ji said to Chu Feng before continuing deeper into the Hundred-Refined Grounds.
Without hesitation, Chu Feng followed.
It wasn't that he didn't want to flee — it was that Xue Ji's strength surpassed his own. If she didn't want to let him leave, running would be pointless.
Besides, he genuinely wanted to know why Xue Ji had saved him.
Before long, Xue Ji led Chu Feng into a vast mountain range. These mountains were unlike any other — they were forged from pure gold, their surfaces shimmering and resplendent. This was the legendary Golden Mountain.
However, Chu Feng had no interest in admiring the scenery. His gaze remained fixed on the peerless beauty standing before him.
Yet facing this stunning woman, Chu Feng felt no desire to appreciate her beauty. Instead, his heart was filled with wariness.
Xue Ji — the spirit being who had once resided within his body, but who had harbored deep resentment after being sealed inside him. He had lost count of the number of times she had declared she would kill him.
And now she stood right in front of him, possessing the power to do exactly that.
"Chu Feng, it's been quite a while. You haven't changed much," Xue Ji said with a beaming smile, her sultry gaze carrying not a trace of hostility — as if she were looking at an old friend.
"Drop the act. Why did you save me? You might as well just say it," Chu Feng replied.
"My, my — so cold toward a girl. Don't tell me you speak the same way to that little brat who calls herself Her Majesty?" Xue Ji asked. "I seem to recall that's not the case."
"Enough nonsense. What do you want? Spit it out and don't waste everyone's time — if reinforcements from the Formation Guardian Clan arrive, none of us will escape," Chu Feng said.
"Reinforcements? Don't worry — no reinforcements are coming. And even if they did, they wouldn't be my match. The Hundred-Refined Grounds has a special restriction: no one at the Half Ancestor level or above can enter," Xue Ji explained.
"Then why exactly did you save me? Don't tell me it's out of sentiment. I remember quite clearly — back at the Nangong Imperial Clan, the moment I freed you from the seal, you tried to kill me. If Dan Dan hadn't used her powers to hide me, I'd be dead already," Chu Feng said.
"Don't make yourself sound so noble. Back when I was freed, you only did it to protect yourself. In other words, I was already your lifesaver back at the Nangong Imperial Clan — and now I've saved you a second time. Aren't you going to at least thank me?" Xue Ji said.